Probe Of Fatal Plane Crash Finds Water In Fuel Tank

AROUND CENTRAL FLORIDA

July 3, 1993

NICEVILLE — Water had contaminated some of the fuel aboard a small plane that crashed, killing its pilot, just after picking up an advertising banner, a federal investigator says.

A significant amount of water was found in the right-wing fuel tank, said Andrew Alston, maintenance supervisor for the National Transportation Safety Board. Corrosion and water also were found in the plane's gas filter, he said.

A final determination of the cause of the June 12 crash has not been made. The investigation is continuing.

The 1964 150-J Cessna crashed between two Niceville homes, killing pilot Joseph Anthony Kauffman of Pensacola. He was the only person aboard the plane. No one on the ground was injured.

Kauffman, 44, was on a banner-towing flight for Copeland Aerial of Bainbridge, Ga.

Alston said investigators are checking reports from another pilot and other witnesses that Kauffman complained of power-surging problems over the radio two hours before the crash.